Vocalist Joey McCann and guitarist Rich Schwarz met as members of Gene Vincentt’s Cadillac Cruisers. In 1987 they split off to form Joey & the Jammers, an oldies, Top-40, and variety band specializing in music of the ‘50s and ‘60s. Their extensive repertoire also included favorites of the ‘70s and ‘80s and a popular Blues Brothers Review.
The original group consisted of McCann (vocals), and Schwarz (guitar, keyboards, vocals), with Strick Bonner (lead vocals, guitar), Malcolm Turner (bass, vocals), and John Hall (drums ex-Iguana, Proxy, Krackerjax, Tempests…). Hall was only with the group briefly before being replaced with Al Joffe. Joffe was later replaced with Bob Hill. Schwarz (Elwood) and vocalist Jimmy Powers (Jake) also performed as the Blues Brothers tribute.
In 1989 the group went through some personnel changes. Bonner, Turner and Hill Left. The new lineup featured McCann and Schwarz with Arville Dee ‘Bear’ Clay (keyboards, keybass), and Dave Lerew (drums). By 1990 Joffe had returned to the group replacing Hill. Lerew and Clay left and John Breck was added on keyboards and keybass. This lineup stayed consistent through the mid-90s. Schwarz left in 1993 and was replaced with guitarist Doug Lester, who in turn was replaced in 1994 by Charlie Higgs.
Joey & the Jammers were a full-time band that played over 1,000 dates between 1987 and 1993. They once played 31 gigs in 30 days. The group opened for many name acts including Billy ‘Crash’ Craddock, Ronnie McDowell, and Ronnie Dove… They performed bull roasts, weddings, private parties, carnivals, American Legion halls… Night club venues included the Spectrum Lounge, Pikesville Hilton, Olympia Lounge, Midway Lounge, Corinthian Lounge, Jewel of the Nile, Dino’s, Oak Point Inn, Opitz Bros Crab House, Wooden Nickel, Marco Club, Skinny Minnie’s (O.C.), Captain’s Cove, Kosmokos, Patrick’s Restaurant, Driftwood, Riverwatch, Good Times Inn, Eastern Yacht Club, Shangri La, Perry’s Golden Flame, Kourtyard, Islander, Ruggerios, Merrit House. Mike’s Crab House, The Loft, Bumpers, Jim’s Hideaway, T.J. Boomers, Bahama Mama’s, Deze’s…
